NATO chief alarmed over Russia's support to secessionist rhetoric in Bosnia

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed alarm on Monday about both external meddling, particularly from Russia, and “secessionist rhetoric” in Bosnia. “We express concern over rhetoric that advocates for secession and division, as well as foreign meddling, particularly from Russia,” Stoltenberg told reporters during his first visit in Sarajevo on the Western Balkans tour. He was alluding to Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Bosnian Serb separatist movement, who had repeatedly declared that the autonomous Serb Republic would attempt to break away and join Serbia, its neighbour. Stoltenberg stated, “This undermines the stability and hampers reform,” and that all political leaders ought to work together to uphold national unity, establish national institutions, and bring about reconciliation. Almost thirty years have passed since the catastrophic 1992–1995 conflict, which left 100,000 people dead and left Bosnia and Herzegovina split, its economy in ruins, and a large number of people fleeing the country. NATO has issued warnings about threats to Bosnia posed by outside meddling, especially from Russia. Following a meeting with Borjana Kristo, the chair of Bosnia’s Council of Ministers, Stoltenberg declared, “NATO remains committed to support Bosnia’s Euro-Atlantic path, every country has the right to choose its security arrangements without foreign interference.” (With agency inputs)